copelab

I have just bought a K&S wire bender and my first few attempts to make a nose gear coil did not turn out well. I used 5/32 music wire an I found that as the coil was being formed the guide screw on the handle would hit the base stop. If I raise the handle to clear the base stop then the coil would not be tightly wound.I used to have an old Breiten Products bender an I cannot recall having that problem. Any ideas?
Bob

MrMulligan

My Feedback: (314)

I know what you mean. I just sold my Breiten and it was the best. I don't know whether or not it's still made, but there was nothing better. I had mine for about 35 years.

copelab

I still have mine but I broke the base stop somehow so it is useless.
Bob

Villa

Hi copelab
I made my own bender and have been bending piano wire front gear for maybe 40 years, As I recall, I have some interference with mine also. I lift the wire over the interference and lower it as soon as possible. I suggest you practice the procedure a few times to find the best method to get what you want. I always purchase extra piano wire since I do not use the bender often enough to remember all the tricks so I discard a few pieces.

copelab

Thanks Villa. I practised on coat hanger wire,then I used 5/32. The result is useable. The secret is to get the first loop tight I think.Can't get the picture to load.
Bob

Bax

My Feedback: (11)

One thing to remember about bending wire is that it will "draw" when you bend it. It will pull through the die, so you have to allow it to move. Clamping wire in a vise and then trying to bend it will cause it to become quite brittle...especially if you try to force it with a hammer. Music wire will work-harden if it's beaten, and that makes it more brittle.

My old Brieten (Breiten?) coil and wire bender has been a wonderful tool over the past 40(!?) years or so. They also made a parting tool that would cleanly-cut almost any size of music wire used in model airplanes...a perfect 90-degree edge every time!

049flyer

My Feedback: (18)

Bob

Did you buy a wire bender or wire COIL bender. They are 2 different tools and work differently. The coiler is designed to make coils like a nose gear. The bender is for bending angles of 180 degrees or less. I have both tools and they both work well for their intended purpose.

copelab

It is a K&S mighty wire and coil bender an I bought it to form coils in nose and main gears. Just need a bit of practice with it. Being a cheap skate I hate to waste wire!
Bob

049flyer

My Feedback: (18)

Sounds like you have the right tool for the job. I think you are correct, maybe a little more practice.

foodstick

I will add one thing sort of off topic.. Always keep in mind when you are bending not to put yourself in a position where you might drag your arm across the bending area of the wire IF IT SHOULD BREAK! once in awhile I have had the wire break when I was really pulling hard on some larger diameter stuff. It usually leaves a razor sharp tooth that you do not want to get caught on.. just a reminder.

copelab

Good point foodstick.
Bob

Villa

Hi foodstick
Good warning on the wire breaking. I always wear a heavy leather glove on the hand pulling the wire. When music wire breaks it breakes like glass; very jagget.

wildhairman

My Feedback: (5)

I have a Breiten and it works great. I built a similar one to handle 1/4" wire. That stock holding pin is just a socket head cap screw with a groove cut into the socket head. You can duplicate that with some time and a rat-tail file. I believe the threaded hole for it goes clear through, so you might spin it out of there by drilling it from the bottom. The trick part about the Breiten is that the coil winding handle is angled up as it sits on the pivot pin. This makes it tend naturally to climb over the stationary wire and pull the coil up with it when it comes back around. Very clever design.

ETpilot

Not familiar with the Breiten. I have a homemade bender. It allows me to coil or bend left and right hand. I use wire 3/32 to 1/4 inch. The key to a tight wire coil is to have a wire hold down to keep it from moving during the coiling.

wjvail

My Feedback: (3)

I have both a K&S wire bender and coiler. Both work well. I have made coil gear with piano wire up to 3/16". Like many tools, it works well but does take some skill to use well. It takes some operator practice and skill to make pretty coils.

ETpilot

I saw a video of the K&S coiler. The problem I see with it is as you coil the wire it has to go up and over the stationary piece. Then you get coils as pictured in post #1. You need a coiler where the wire just slides over itself as you form the coils. Plus you have to keep the wire from moving as you coil. Not an expert at this just my opinion.

Homemade tail wheel.

copelab

Wildhairman: just came across your post. Funny enough,I started to drill out the holding pin an it unthreaded itself. I was able to fashion a new holding pin an I filed a groove in it. Tried it today an it worked like a charm. Thanks.
Bob

wildhairman

My Feedback: (5)

Hi Bob. My pleasure.
wildhairman